by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Grand Canyon, Hiking
How Hot Does it Get in the Grand Canyon?
With the summer months officially upon us, it has come time to discuss one of the most-asked questions this time of year: how hot does it actually get in Grand Canyon? The answer is one word, three letters: H-O-T. The Inner Gorge regularly sees temperatures hovering over 110 degrees, and the Phantom Ranch Ranger Station, a popular destination any time of the year, has recorded temperatures as high as 116 degrees. Grand Canyon is one hot spot in the summertime, my friends.
Why is it so hot?
Several reasons contribute to temperatures in the depths of Grand Canyon. They may seem fairly obvious, but our bet is that some may be surprising. Many of our guests are not accustomed to traveling in the American Southwest, and are sometimes surprised at the heat. The temperatures may be doubly surprising given that elevations at either rim are well over 7000 feet above sea level. Let’s examine the culprits.
Climate
First of all, and most simply, it’s a desert. Grand Canyon sits on the Colorado Plateau, a saucer-shaped uplift in the Earth’s crust. The Plateau is sandwiched between two mighty mountain ranges, the Rockies and Sierras, both of which impound much of the moisture in the region. The Colorado Desert, as it is known to ecologists, lies adjacent to the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Mojave Desert of California.
Though not as arid as its cousins to the south, the Colorado Desert is a desert nonetheless. Average annual precipitation across the Plateau is just 10″ in the lowest, hottest spots, The region is studded with laccoltith (granitic dome) mountains that receive snow, but the lowlands are hot and dry places, indeed.
The Rocks
Given its desert nature, much of the Colorado Plateau is a wilderness of naked rock. Vegetation in the lower elevations is sparse, lending very little shade. The bare rocks “breathe” heat, inhaling the solar radiation, then exhaling back out into the atmosphere. The darker and more dense the rock, the more inhaling and exhaling take place.
The rocks of Grand Canyon’s Inner Gorge, known as the Vishnu Metamorphic Complex, are prime candidates for this breathing action. Their color (very dark, essentially black in most places) and density (metamorphic rocks are extremely dense) make them enormously susceptible to heat absorption. Given their location in the depths of Grand Canyon, it is no wonder why the inner canyon can feel like a blast furnace in the hottest months.
Even the lighter-colored, less dense sedimentary rocks found in Grand Canyon such as sandstone, shale, and limestone, are very inefficient cooling centers. No matter where they are in the canyon, the rocks cannot escape the sun, and hikers in Grand Canyon cannot escape the rocks (yay!).
In essence, Grand Canyon behaves like a giant, incredibly scenic parking lot. The same action that occurs in the vast expanses of concrete jungles known as cities, also occurs here in Grand Canyon and across the naked rock wilderness of the Colorado Plateau.
Elevation Changes
Grand Canyon is a massive, inverted mountain. The summit of this mountain, the Colorado River, lies at roughly 2000 feet elevation. The base, respectively North and South Rims, are at impressive elevations of 7500 and 8500 feet. As you may imagine, this creates significant differences in temperature. The rule of thumb climbing mountains in in the upward direction is 5 degrees for every thousand feet. This same rule of thumb applies to inverted mountains.
A nice summer day on the North Rim might be 80 degrees. This same day temperatures on the South Rim may be a warm, but still relatively comfortable 85+ degrees Six thousand feet below at Phantom Ranch it will be a balmy 110 degrees. Temperatures in the sun may exceed 130 degrees.
The forested rims, particularly the lush North Rim, are in climate zones more similar to places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Park. In contrast, the Inner Gorge lies in a climate zone similar to that of Saguaro and Joshua Tree National Parks which are located in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts, respectively.
Is there any way to beat the heat?
Staying in the cool pine forests near the Grand Canyon’s North and South Rims is the best bet to beat the heat in the summer. South Rim regularly sees temperatures in the 90s, but shade is easy to find. Cool breezes often blow through the stands of ponderosa pine, making a picnic overlooking the canyon very pleasant.
The North Rim is cooler, typically seeing high temperatures in the low-to-mid 80’s. Stands of aspen forest tremble in the breeze, and at 8500 feet nights get quite cool. A trip to North Rim is a great way to spend a summer day. Summertime stars at either rim are a sight to behold.
But I still want to hike….
Hiking in Grand Canyon in the summertime, as you may gather, can be a interesting proposition. The Goat’s advice is to get out early. Starting a hike before dawn is a summer rite-of-passage in Grand Canyon. Avoid hiking during the hottest times of the day (10AM-4PM). If you are out on the trail during those times, it is a good idea to seek shade where available. Drink plenty of water (3-4L/person), and eat salty snacks that help your body to retain moisture. Nuts, Jerky, and cheese make a fantastic meal on the trail, but avoid food high in sugar.
Is it a good idea (or even fun) to go backpacking in the summer?
If you are planning a backpacking trip below the rim during the summer, know what you are in for and prepare for it. Following the general hiking guidelines outlined earlier is a great start. Plan your trip so that you will be near water, if possible. Many hikes from the North Rim have water along the trail, and the Colorado River makes a wonderful and very welcome swimming hole.
Packing correctly is quite helpful as well. A wide-brimmed hat is key, along with sunglasses and clothing material that wicks moisture. Synthetic garments work well, and avoid wearing anything that absorbs moisture such as denim or cotton.
What is the best time of year to hike in Grand Canyon?
If you can swing it, Grand Canyon hiking is best enjoyed during the cooler months. October to April are the best times, with November to March being particularly spectacular. Although it may be chilly on the rim, hiking in the canyon during these months presents daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s, absolutely perfect for hiking.
Be advised that North Rim is open from May 15 – October 15. In the off-season there are no services available, and access is quite limited. In order to access North Rim during the winter, hikers must approach the rim on foot, in snowshoes, or on cross country skies.
Despite summer being warmer, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit Grand Canyon. Simply hiking along the rim to take in the astounding views is a great summertime activity, but hiking below the rim can be highly enjoyable too. Following our hiking guidelines will ensure that your backpacking trip or day hike is a safe and fun experience that yields stories and memories to last a lifetime.
Going Guided
Exploring Grand Canyon with a guide service is hands-down the best way to enjoy the canyon. This is true any time of the year, but is especially true when the temperature starts to rise. Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism’s guides are certified in CPR and backcountry medicine in addition to being degreed geologists. This depth of medical knowledge is the key to keeping our guests safe on the trail, particularly when the conditions are not ideal. Hit us up for more information, or to join an epic backpacking or basecamp hiking tour.
Hiring an outfitter has several benefits. Namely, we worry about all the other stuff while you enjoy your adventure! Food, navigation, top-of-the-line gear, and deep knowledge of the landscape is the coup de gras.
The Goat’s Final Word
Grand Canyon presents the intrepid adventurer extraordinary experiences with unique challenges. Even without the heat, hiking in Grand Canyon can be demanding and requires preparation paired with realistic goals. Summer heat is certainly among the challenges one will find here, but it can be managed fairly easily by hiking smart.
In fact, the heat offers hikers the opportunity to really slow down and enjoy the vistas unraveling before their eyes. Hiking by moonlight is an extraordinary experience that not only beats the heat, but presents an altogether different perspective on this wondrous place. Trust me, wandering through a moonlight-bathed gorge while a Great Horned Owl hoots from the cliffs above is a sublime experience.
Slow down, find some shade, drink some water, and chill. Post up under a sprawling cottonwood tree. Have a well-deserved splash in the river or under a waterfall. Take cues from Grand Canyon wildlife. Do you see them going hard in the heat? No? Then you shouldn’t either. Above all, don’t force anything. If you feel hot, slow down. Don’t be afraid to take care of yourself, your body will thank you.
Contact us for information about Grand Canyon hiking, or step into a geologic time machine on one of our epic Grand Canyon hiking tours
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by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Grand Canyon, Hiking, National Parks
What are the Best Backpacking Trips in Grand Canyon?
Grand Canyon National Park can be a nearly overwhelming place. What do I do? Where should I go? Even for seasoned backpackers, the choices can be endless and exhausting. The Goat has compiled a list especially for you, outlining backpacking trips in Grand Canyon for all skill and experience levels. Enjoy!
5. The Hermit Loop
Time: 3 days, 2 nights
Distance: 18 miles
Difficulty: Undergraduate+
The Hermit Loop is a truly classic Grand Canyon backpacking trip that can be easily accomplished over a long weekend. It is a great hike for those who are looking to take their first backpacking foray into the big ditch, and truly hits all the highlights. Sweeping vistas, interesting side trips, and excellent canyon history await on a trail forged originally by the “hermit of the Grand Canyon”, Mr. Louis Boucher. The route was later improved by the Santa Fe Railroad Line in an attempt to bring mining, then tourism, into the area.
4. Tuckup Canyon via the Stairway to Heaven
Time: 7 days, 6 nights
Distance: 45 miles
Get your defibrillator, this one is not for the faint of heart. Located in one of the most remote parts of Grand Canyon, this long, challenging loop is meant for experienced cannoneers only. This route takes ambitious hikers down Tuckup Canyon, past Shaman’s Gallery (recognized as one of the most spectacular rock art etchings in the American Southwest), through a traverse along the mighty Colorado River, and then up Stairway Canyon. Along the way, there are exciting climbing, route-finding, and scrambling challenges, and . Strap in!
3. Thunder River to Deer Creek
Time: 4 days, 3 nights
Distance: 28 miles
The Thunder River to Deer Creek Loop is perhaps the North Rim’s most fabulous backpacking trip. Multiple water sources, outstanding scenery, and a truly thunderous river. Geologically speaking, Thunder River is one of the most unique features in Grand Canyon. It begins as an underground river (aquifer) up on the Kaibab Plateau. It flows along various fault lines and crustal weaknesses until it breaks loose at the contact of the permeable Esplanade Group (mostly shales) and the impermeable Redwall Limestone, quite literally thundering onto the rocks below.
2. Rim-to-Rim via Phantom Ranch
Time: 4 days, 3 nights
Distance: 19 miles
This is the true Grand Canyon classic backpacking trip. Starting at the North Rim, your descent begins on the North Kaibab Trail as it winds it way down to the Colorado River. Along the way hikers are treated to unspoiled views, soaring eagles, and a well-developed trail. Thru-hikers may camp at Bright Angel Campground, or stay in the lodge at the famed Phantom Ranch. From here hikers may choose to ascend either the South Kaibab Trail (shorter, steeper) or the Bright Angel Trail (more miles) and stay the second night on the Esplanade. After cresting on the South Rim, be sure to gaze upon your North Rim starting point. This is one of the most popular trips in Grand Canyon, so be sure to make your reservations early! For those who want an alternate, consider the Rim-to-River and Back hike.
1. The Escalante Route
Time: 5 days, 4 nights
Distance: 35 miles
Carved by early Puebloan explorers of Grand Canyon, this long traverse of Grand Canyon from the Tanner Trail to Horseshoe Mesa and Grandview is perhaps one of the finest backpacking trips on the planet. There is a little bit of everything Grand Canyon here, as hikers will encounter outrageous views of the Great Unconformity, sandy beaches, a class 3 scramble over the famous Papago Wall, and a spectacular slot canyon carved from billion-year-old Shinumo Quartzite. This route confronts with hikers with the unimaginable scale of Grand Canyon, as it will seem as though you are climbing mountains in a canyon. Grand!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Hiking, Sedona, Utah Canyon Country
Top 5 Basecamping Trips in the Southwest
Basecamping can provide a truly wonderful experience that explores the best of both worlds in the outdoors: excellent hiking adventures by day, and comfortable accommodations by night. Hiking in the southwestern United States provides the adventurer with endless opportunities to see outrageous and iconic scenery, experience world-famous geology, and enjoy the whimsical color tapestry that pulls at the senses. The Goat has decided to let you in on his personal favorite hiking and camping adventures in the American Southwest, so load the car, strap in, and grab the camera ’cause we’re going outside!
5. Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve, California
Though just the name evokes a barren wasteland of intense heat and suffering, long-time westerners know that Death Valley is one of the most fabulous places on the face of the Earth. It is a land of extremes, but one of those extremes is intense beauty. Being in Death Valley confronts the hiker with the dichotomy of life itself, in one breath being the lowest, hottest place in North America, in the other breath being a place with 11,000 foot mountains that receive feet of snow every winter.
In one breath being a howling desert, in the other being a place with flowing natural springs and over 1,000 different species of animal, including several like the Devil’s Hole Pupfish, that are indigenous to Death Valley and only Death Valley. To the east of Death Valley lies the Mojave National Preserve, a little-known slice of desert heaven that holds its own distinctions.
Think the largest, densest stand of Joshua Tree, icon of the Mojave, lies in Joshua Tree National Park? Think again. That belongs to Mojave National Preserve. Think the tallest sand dune in the United States lies in Great Sand Dunes National Park? Think again. Kelso Dune, which rises nearly 900 feet above the desert floor reigns supreme, right in the heart of the Mojave National Preserve. Death Valley and the Mojave National Preserve is a southwestern adventure that is not to be underestimated in its grandeur, taken for granted in its diversity, or passed up by the outdoor adventurer.
4. North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The visitation to Grand Canyon is well-documented. Last year alone (2015) Grand Canyon National Park received over 6 million visitors for the first time in its history, breaking the string of a decade at over 5 million. To say it is well-loved is a bit of an understatement, and for good reason; It’s the Grand Canyon. However, over 90% of people that visit Grand Canyon visit the easily accessible South Rim, and only 5% of total people that visit actually go below the rim, given that the average visit time to this fabulous natural wonder is about 2.5 hours.
This leaves us with the isolated, lonely North Rim. Grand Canyon’s North Rim, which soars to over 8,500 feet on the Coconino Plateau, sees about 1/10 of the visitors that flock to the South Rim; good news for you. From the North Rim, hikers and campers are treated to all the dramatic vistas, epic geology, and fantasy of the Grand Canyon, but with a sense of solitude that can be hard to bargain for at the South Rim. North Rim contains some of the park’s most thrilling hiking adventures, outrageous fall colors, and even brings a sense of the pioneer spirit to any of its adventures.
3. Superstition Mountains, Arizona Sonoran Desert
Some say it’s the views. Some say it’s the ancient spirits. Some say it’s the lost gold mine. The Goat says he’s just lucky. The Superstition Mountains, located just 45 minutes east of the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, provide some of the best hiking, backpacking, and camping opportunities near a large metropolitan area in the United States, and perhaps the world. Hiking and exploring this fantastic wilderness from a basecamp, however, may just be the best way to see it.
Legend has it that within the Superstition Mountains lies an incredibly rich gold mine, the likes of which Arizona has never seen. The Dutchman, Mr. Jakob Waltz (who was actually German) gave clues on his deathbed as to its whereabouts, but it has yet to be located. Camping near the wilderness and tackling its hundreds of miles of excellent trails gives the outdoor adventurer a wonderful opportunity to search high and low, through deep canyons to 5,000 foot peaks. Meanwhile, sweeping views, excellent and explosive geology, and in the heart of the wilderness, solitude await as you dive deep into the legends and lore of the fabulous Superstition Wilderness.
2. Sedona, Arizona Red Rock Country
Sedona is world famous for its grand red rock monoliths, spiritual healing power, and upscale tourist traps. However, we geologists think of Sedona as the “Pangean Riviera”, as the beautiful rocks here tell a wonderful story of a paradise by the sea.
Though it’s lost its ocean views over the eons, Sedona is still one of the most gorgeous places in the American Southwest, and a base camping trip here will give the intrepid hiker and explorer all they can handle, from rugged red rock cliffs and world-class rock climbing, to intimate canyons, to soaring spires and outrageous sunsets whose colors can only be matched any the rocks themselves!
1. Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah Canyon Country
This tour de force of South Central Utah’s two epic parks will forever change your vision of what Utah’s Canyon Country is truly all about. Think you’ve seen it all? We think you’ve seen almost nothing until you behold the majesty contained within Capitol Reef and the Grand Staircase. Capitol Reef, home to the largest geologic structure in the southwest, harbors towering sunset red cliffs, arches, canyons, and utter solitude, with some of the best star-gazing in the lower 48. Grand Staircase is home to some of the most rugged, thrilling, and scenic canyons and slots on the Colorado Plateau and the entire world.
Placing your basecamp near the town of Boulder, Utah will lend you, the intrepid hiking adventurer, an opportunity to ping-pong between these two giants. The close proximity, beauty, and above all the unspoiled wilderness experience you are highly likely to obtain in these two outstanding places was the deciding factor in our countdown. The Goat approves!
So there you have it ladies and gentleman, the Top 5 Camping and Hiking Trips in the American Southwest. You can tackle them yourself, or to enhance your experience, you may choose to tackle them with our fabulous geologist/guides that will school you on every whit and whimsy in these beautiful rocks. See you on the trail!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Hiking
Top 5 Backpacking Trips in the Southwest
The American Southwest is a veritable buffet of life-list adventures. From the tame to the rugged, there is something for everyone here. Whether you are hiking and backpacking in Utah, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, or the wild Sonoran Desert, The Goat has compiled his top 5 backpacking trips in the American Southwest just for you. Follow along with us as we take you on a dream tour of our epic backyard.
5. Bucksin Gulch to Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Utah Canyon Country
Simply put, this is one of the finest canyon hiking experiences in the world. This 43-mile, multi-day point-to-point takes hikers through the longest, deepest slot canyon in North America (and perhaps the world) the Buckskin Gulch. Towering sunset sandstone walls lead you through this coursing labyrinth, crossing the Paria River over 50 times before it dumps you out at Lee’s Ferry, the official beginning of the Grand Canyon. Along the way hikers are treated to epic canyon scenery, including several soaring natural arches, waterfalls, natural springs, the dreaded “Cesspools,” and a pleasant grade that makes it easy to revel in the scenic and geologic wonders. Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch can be done separately, but it is The Goat’s preference to get them both done in this fabulous backpacking tour of quintessential canyon hiking.
4. Sundance Trail to Dark Canyon, Dark Canyon Primitive Wilderness, Utah Canyon Country
Potentially the best part of this fantastic hiking and backpacking experience in the depths of Utah’s Canyon Country is that you may have Dark Canyon all to yourself. Intrepid hikers will travel at least 2-3 hours in any direction across 4×4 roads just to reach the trailhead, which makes getting here a fabulous adventure in and of itself. Once here, Dark Canyon presents hikers with some of the most unspoiled scenery and geology in Utah and all of the American Southwest. Often referred to as “the Little Grand Canyon” due to its ever-changing hues and sheer cliff walls, Dark Canyon is one of the premier canyon hiking destinations in the United States. The Sundance Trail descends a particularly rugged and thrilling ridge down into the depths of Dark Canyon, and once there, gives nearly limitless opportunities for hiking into side canyons and tributaries, each more stunning than the last. The Sundance Trail can also serve as a simple day hike, but The Goat recommends at least two or more days in this outstanding Utah canyon wilderness.
3. Marble Canyon via Cottonwood Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley: hot, barren, and boring, right? Wrong. Death Valley is perhaps the most ecologically diverse and geologically astounding place in North America, and the Marble Canyon via Cottonwood Canyon backpacking route puts that on full display. Running natural springs surrounded by towering cottonwood trees? Check. Polished billion year-old marble? Check. Slot canyons? Check. Solitude? Check. Adventurous route-finding and scrambling? Double Check. Backpackers and hikers typically do Marble Canyon only, however, The Goat prefers to make the Cottonwood to Marble Canyon traverse via Dead Horse Canyon, a rugged and wild adventure that will truly give you appreciation for the grandeur and diversity of Death Valley.
2. West Canyon, Arizona Red Rock Country
West Canyon is regarded by many (including The Goat) as the finest slot canyon on the Colorado Plateau. It does not hold any particular distinction as far as length, depth, or width, but its scenery and slot canyoning experience is absolutely second-to-none. Backpacking through West Canyon, the hiker is almost immediately confronted with swimming opportunities, old hogans, several dry falls that require exciting scrambling, and all this within the first mile of the canyon. As the backpacking continues, the hiker will reach waterfalls, enormous and outrageous alcoves, and numerous opportunities for hiking into side canyons, ducking through thrilling narrows that often require a headlamp, and quintessential sunset sandstone walls that seem to bathe in the soft sunlight that reaches into the depths of the canyon. What really puts this adventure over the top, however, is the boat trip required to reach the canyon, making West Canyon a unique and powerful experience in Red Rock Canyon Country.
1. Tanner Trail to Grandview Point via the Escalante Route, Grand Canyon, Arizona
This is the #1 backpacking trip in the American Southwest for one simple reason: the ultimate combination of geology and scenery. As with any hike in the Grand Canyon, hikers are confronted with nearly 2 billion years of Earth’s history painted on the walls. However, on the Escalante Route, hikers and backpackers get up close and personal with two of the Grand Canyon’s greatest scenic and geologic features, the Great Unconformity and the Butte Fault. We’ll leave one of our geologist/guides to walk you through the finer points of these fabulous features, but let’s just say that they add a fabulous spice to this outrageously scenic hike that includes a class 3 scramble up the Papago Wall, delving into a slot canyon, camping at the beach, and utter solitude. The Escalante Route presents exciting challenges and sweeping grandeur, all in the eastern part of Grand Canyon before the Colorado River enters the Inner Gorge. This wide-open expanse will give you a true perspective on the grand scale of Grand Canyon, as you confront literal mountains within the canyon, all the way down to narrow slots and three separate Colorado River-side camps that do not disappoint.
So there you have it ladies and gentleman, the Top 5 Backpacking Trips in the American Southwest. You can tackle them yourself, or to enhance your experience, you may choose to tackle them with our fabulous geologist/guides that will school you on every whit and whimsy in these beautiful rocks. See you on the trail!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Grand Canyon
Who is the Hermit of Grand Canyon?
Every trail in the Grand Canyon is unique and special, and the Hermit Trail is no different in that respect. Far enough from the park’s bustling corridor trails of Bright Angel and South Kaibab to yield a feeling of solitude, yet close enough that it has amenities and its own bus stop, this is The Goat’s favorite trail on the South Rim.
A view of Hermit Canyon coming down the Hermit Trail
The Hermit
Louis Boucher, better known as “the hermit of the Grand Canyon”, had a homestead here in the late 1800’s into the early 20th century, and built this foot-trail to access his mine. The trail, improved by the Santa Fe Railroad in the early 1900’s as a route for hopeful mining riches, also yields one of the park’s best day hikes; to Dripping Springs. This 6.5-mile out-and-back is a wonderful adventure for those looking to bite off a piece of the canyon, but not more than they can chew.
Our intrepid guests descending the Hermit Trail
The geology of this hike gives a unique perspective on how the canyon took shape over the eons, particularly how the colorful buttes and mesas that make the canyon so unique were formed. A process called “spring-sapping” is most responsible, and Dripping Springs allows its intrepid visitors to see firsthand how this process takes, and is taking place.
Dripping Springs
As groundwater is forced to the surface at permeable/impermeable geologic contacts, it creates weaknesses along bedding planes, mechanically weathering (eroding) at the surface. Over time, these areas break down and are subject to fallout. As they crumble, they leave behind the impressive buttes and mesas such as Zoroaster Temple, Chuar Butte, and Vulcan’s Throne.
Zoroaster Temple, product of “spring-sapping”
The spring itself is groundwater forced to the surface at the geologic contact between the permeable Coconino Sandstone, and the impermeable Hermits Shale. The water coursing its way through the sandstone hits the clay-based shale and can no longer matriculate downwards, so it is therefore expelled at the contact, creating the surface spring.
A view to the Esplanade from the Hermit Trail
Hiking Down the Canyon
On the way down to Dripping Springs, there are several other spots of tremendous geologic interest including a wall of fossils in the Kaibab Limestone, as well as reptile and amphibian tracks in the Coconino Sandstone. The best thing about this day hike is that, once you trudge through the Kaibab, Toroweap, and Coconino formations and reach the junction of the Dripping Springs and Hermit Trails, the trail levels out and is a wonderful cruise through the bright reds and oranges of the upper reaches of the Supai Group. A great lunch spot awaits the hikers while they watch the spring quite literally drip from the ceiling of the large Coconino Sandstone overhang.
Sweeping views of the “Grandaddy of Them All”
The return hike, while strenuous at times once you reach the Coconino and Kaibab switchbacks, is relatively easy compared to many Grand Canyon ascents, and an early start will ensure that you escape the late afternoon southern-exposed sun rays. The most enjoyable way to take this hike is, as always, with one of our geologist/guides; and we hope to see you on the trail soon!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Hiking
Hiking on the Mogollon Rim, Arizona
With so many jaw-dropping natural features, Arizona can be almost overwhelming in terms of choices. Let us simplify things for you: go to the Mogollon Rim. Why? Lakes, canyons, spectacular scenery, wildlife, solitude, cool summer weather, history, and of course, geology.
Geology
“The Rim” is the actual edge of the Colorado Plateau, famous for the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, volcanoes, rivers, and some of the most outrageous displays of sedimentary geology in the world. To the south lies the Transition Zone and the Basin and Range, geologic provinces characterized by extensional faulting and the Sonoran/Mojave Deserts. It is the last bastion of the flat-lying sediments, the precipitous drop-off to the ends of the Earth.
History
Sitting over 1000ft. higher than the land just to the south, The Rim provides a dramatic gateway to Plateau country, and has indeed been the sentinel of our beloved Plateau. As civilization expanded with the railroad and the Westward Migration of the late 19th century, the Mogollon Rim kept large swaths of civilization away with its foreboding cliffs and complex topography. In 1871, General George Crook was given the task of creating a throughway across The Rim from Fort Apache near present day Show Low, AZ to Fort Verde near present-day Prescott, AZ. Today, this road serves as The Rim Road, and is the main route of travel on The Rim, providing access to all the lakes and scenic points that it offers.
Hiking
The Mogollon Rim offers nearly limitless hiking opportunities. Simply hiking along the rim itself is a great experience. Exploring the many canyons carved into the rim provides adventures for all levels, from easy strolls to technical descents. The Arizona Trail runs through the rim, and is a great trail to explore if this is your first time here.
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring the Mogollon Rim is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
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For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
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Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
